England: Day 8

We got up early and ran to the train station back to London.  After dropping off our luggage, we booked it to Buckingham Palace to catch the Changing of the Guard.  By the time we came, it had already started and there were TONS of people there.

Can you see the guards?

I coordinated my outfit with the flowers in front of Buckingham Palace.  Look at all those people!

Next stop was Tower of London.  We went on a guided tour by a "Beefeater" so named because King Henry VIII, knowing that he was unpopular and that he shouldn't starve his guards fed his guards well.  The embittered townspeople referred to them as "Beefeaters" and the name stuck.  We learned more about the history of the Tower of London, and then we got to see the Crown Jewels.  We were reminded that "By the Order of the Queen" we were not allowed to take pictures - how scary and official does that sound?

It just looks like a Tower, right?

Long shot.

Our tour guide, a "Beefeater."  You have to have a minimum of 22 years of military service before you can even go through the rigorous application process.  I imagine having a good personality is also a requirement because he was funny!

The Tower of London is technically comprised of a few buildings/strongholds.

Where one of King Henry VIII's wives was executed for not producing a male heir.

I'm wearing a red shirt to go along with the hat.  I think it suits me.

Does anyone else find this awkward? 

Next stop was St. Paul's Cathedral.  It was absolutely gorgeous on the inside, but of course we could not take pictures.  We went up 5 kazillion flights of stairs... I don't remember what the end goal was.  I think just a view of London.  Fortunately, I we didn't go up any further steps, because as Ali and I quickly discovered while simply STANDING outside (taking pictures), our legs were shaking!  I guess they were starting to protest the awful treatment we've been putting them through.

Pit stop right outside of Tower of London.  The London Bridge!

St. Paul's Cathedral

pretty flowers

I love the random London telephone booth.  Looks so cute next to the lamp post.

Sultry.... right in the shadow of a Cathedral.  That's right.

Next stop was the London Eye.  It is basically a giant Ferris wheel that has these little egg pods.   Personally, I didn't think it was worth it for the price.  It's a ferris wheel.  And while there are seats, you're also sharing your little pod with about 15 other people, which may including obnoxious teenagers who are blocking the view while striking a dozen poses ranging from happy/cheerful to pouty model.  I will say, you did get nice views of Parliament from the Eye... but you also got a good view from just outside the eye too.  I'll let you make the determination.

London Eye

View of Parliament from outside the Eye

View of Parliament from inside the Eye

Millennial Bridge

Pod things.

Afterwards, we booked it to the National Gallery... only to realize that we were misinformed about how late it was open!  :(  I guess that leaves something left to do if I ever am able to go back again!  We sat down to a meal, which was yummy but the service was poor.  We asked for a glass of water, the waiter said "okay" and then didn't bring it.   When we asked for the check, we got it about 20 minutes later.  (maybe I'm exaggerated a little, but just a little!)  When we got back to the hostel, we were of course placed on the top floor (no elevators) and had to drag our luggage which we had left earlier.  We packed our begs, set our alarms for our flight, and went to bed, sad to be leaving England.